There, near the tree’s base, was a beautiful, elongate, fox-like animal. It was bright green, with a cream underbelly. It was a sleek and lovely creature, and it struggled mightily against the vines it had become caught in, looking at him in genuine fear. #CleanWIP#fantasy

A shrike’s song cut the air. Another shrike answered the evening call. The two battled their voices in an intricate weaving of notes. As darkness closed over the last band of ground, then climbed the shrikes’ #tree, they sang fiercer, challenging night’s encroachment. #cleanWIP

A fog had rolled in during the wee hours of the morning, and, while it was quickly fading in the strengthening sunlight, it still billowed softly around the landscape, giving the churchyard, the church, and the trees beyond an other-worldly feel that made Louis shudder #CleanWIP.

It was a brown Thanksgiving. Here and there a tree still sported various shades of orange, but most of them had surrendered their leaves and now looked like strange works of modern art, their bare limbs stretching out every which-way against the slowly brightening sky.#CleanWIP

#CleanWip “Well, here you are, Miss Hammons. Delivered safe and sound.” Clint walked around to help Emily down from the wagon. As his strong hands encircled her waist. a young man astride a black stallion, slipped out from behind the barn and disappeared into a grove of trees.

“No traveler, whether a tree lover or not, will ever forget his first walk in a sugar-pine forest. The majestic crowns approaching one another make a glorious canopy, through the feathery arches of which the sunbeams pour, silvering the needles and gilding the stately columns and the ground into a scene of enchantment.” ~ John Muir

The family asked me to do the eulogy for my lifelong friend. I feared I’d break down. I made it to the end; I turned to his shadow, draped coffin, “Sundance, may you fish in heavenly blue waters and hunt in the forest of green.”

In less time than it took for tears to dry, a cluster of women and children stepped into the shade of the trees, followed by mules carrying supplies. The soft floor and woody walls of the #forest absorbed muffled crying. Most left behind a father, husband, or brother. #cleanWIP

#CleanWIP (Theme FOREST)They came upon an unfamiliar forest path. How long had they been riding? The exhausted horse heaved, and Nelwina felt an unaccustomed twinge of guilt for misusing the poor animal.

#CleanWIP He’d nearly reached them. He dropped down below the #forest canopy, torn between making a suitably discreet approach and terror that the witch might be in the very act of cutting out Yuliya’s heartroot.

@CleanWIP Emily took Clint’s hand. Blessing the food was a tradition at her house while Mama was alive, but flew out the window after she died. Roy never mentioned praying at meals and neither did she. It would only serve to remind them of the empty chair around their the table.

“You’re up early,” Domo said to Will. “Blame Vial. The boys said you had some mail for me?” Domo held up the stack of letters. “I was just finishing with it. Let’s see…hate mail, hate mail, you may already be a winner, death threats. The University of Eastwich granted you an honorary expulsion. You got an anti-invitation from Kervol Ket.” Will stopped in front of Domo. “I know I’m going to regret asking, but what’s that?” “You know how good old Kervol got married?” Domo asked. “He married Princess Marisa Brandywine?” Will didn’t try to hide his surprise. He’d once held the princess prisoner. He didn’t want her, and his attempts to return her to Kervol had been rebuffed. Brandywine was the most annoying person Will had ever met, which considering he was surrounded by thousands of goblins was saying something. It amazed him that someone even as stupid as Kervol would marry her. “Shocking, I know,” Domo said. “Anyway, the lady’s expecting their first child, and Kervol sent out invitations to celebrate the birth. He sent you an anti-invitation. You’re not supposed to attend the festivities, and the only gift he’d like is to hear you died in a horrible accident involving a potato peeler. Basically he’s rubbing it in your face that you’re a social pariah.” “Charming.”

There’s no #CleanWIP theme on Fridays, but we still publish a fun author collaboration. Use the hashtag to share INTERESTING teases from a WIP or published work (book links encouraged on Fridays) or something else you believe our readers might love. [https://t.co/iCuPzhtLNK] pic.twitter.com/tAEg8VBszv

Tired of the “gotta build my social media numbers” mindset that has infiltrated the #wrtingcommunity. Let me (possibly) be the first to tell you: social media #’s won’t sell books. Personal connections will. I should know. I’ve lived it.🤦‍♀️😄#writerslife#YouGotThis#powerup

The sudden cry of a woman in travail rent the stillness of the air. At the sound, Noach tensed and stood uncertainly, turning towards the tents of their small settlement. The waiting had grown agonizingly long; the birth of children often did so—especially with firstborns. His nerves frayed with the waiting, his body as taut as a drawn bowstring. Death was too often an unwelcome shadow at the miracle of birth. Soon, he thought. It will be very soon now. —And then what, old man, whispered the voice of his own nagging doubts. This one will be born, and then there will be others. Men will multiply upon the earth. In time, there will once more be rebellion and bloodshed and wars. Sin will have its due. “No,” he breathed vehemently. “There will be peace and harmony at last in the earth.” It was a familiar argument he had often waged against himself in the past nine months. The outcome was always the same. —Is that what you think? Have you learned nothing? Men are incapable of such nobility: only of evil and more evil. “This time it will be different—it must be,” he said. His hands balled into fists at his side. “The errors of the old world cannot be repeated. They cannot; they will not.” —Oh, but they will, his own malevolent thoughts whispered, mocking him with laughter. Open your eyes, fool, and look around you. The errors of the lost world are but beginning anew. Death hovers, eager to devour the sinful. Watch; and wait. Listen for the cry of this child for which you await so desperately. It will be the lustful cry of sin being reborn into the world. And there is none born of men who can ever change it. “Of men… no,” Noach whispered, smiling, remembering another, far older, promise. “But of a woman…”

For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first:Then we which are alive [and] remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord.Wherefore comfort one another with these words.

Long version: We’re playing hashtag games to find authors who prefer the clean end of the spectrum & highlight their teasers for readers who love them. So let’s see your clean “AIR QUOTES.” pic.twitter.com/zVqnWm8NCe

Looking for the first buds of spring, I’d done it again, same as last year; my signal that winter would soon end. The cold morning air began to give way to warmth. It’s when you don’t know whether to wear a long sleeve or short sleeve. Life is so confusing. #Thurds#CleanWip

#CleanWIP Merchants moved their goods off the boardwalk, closing up shop. On cue, the White Elephant saloon burst to life. Tinny piano music and raucous laughter spilled through its batwing doors. Wolf whistles from unkempt men pierced the air. They leered at Emily. She cringed.

He was shoved unceremoniously into the backseat of the Fiat, and the dark-eyed man and the redhead crowded in beside him. A mixture of pungent cologne and cigarette smoke filled the air inside the car. #CleanWIP

White clay buildings lined the wide street. Only their solid structure could keep the buildings there in the flow of humanity. Men, women, children and animals all pressed to occupy the same space. #cleanWIP (space)

#CleanWIP (theme SPACE)“I have just realized there is no way I can make everyone happy, is there?”Kieran slowly shook his head. “Nay, Sire.”Dolan buried his face in his hands, and Kieran backed away, giving him space to grieve the burdens of ruling a kingdom.

She thought that over. Thirty minutes round-trip in a cramped space with a handsome man whose cologne befuddled her from two feet away in a hayfield. While Gordon MacRae sang love songs in the background.#cleanwip#ACountryMile

@CleanWIP Lanterns lit the barn’s interior. Chairs placed around three walls allowed the fourth wall for tables to hold the food. The floor had been cleared to allow space for dancing. The violinist seemed immuned to the noise as he closed his eyes and played a sweet ballad.

I dropped Earl off at his work; I thanked him repeatedly for his help.“Jerome, I’m glad I could assist. I’m still concerned about your Dad’s death.”I picked up on it, “What do you mean?”Earl stared off into space, “It doesn’t feel right,” he turned and walked away. #CleanWip

“Neither a wise man nor a brave man lies down on the tracks of history to wait for the train of the future to run over him.” ~ Dwight D. Eisenhower

tl; dr: #CleanWIP theme for Tuesday, December 3 is RAIL (any type of rail or perhaps trains and such with assumed rails)Long version: We’re playing hashtag games to find authors who prefer the clean end of the spectrum and highlight their teasers for readers who love them. pic.twitter.com/zlw06l7Ico

#CleanWIP “Miss Hammons, I hope your trip was tolerable. Riding the rails can be uncomfortable. The train’s rocking sometimes makes you wonder if it wil tip over.”“That didn’t bother me as much as the soot blowing through the window, on my clothes. But, it couldn’t be helped. “

“I feel so helpless, sitting here when I should be there, at Gertuk with Jartz.” He shot a look at Sparks, wishing he had a saddle dragon so he could just fly there.Instead they would have to walk to Gertuk, charter a boat, then travel another day by rail.#CleanWIP#DragonSparks

In the locker room, before the game, Coach ranted and raved about the 3rd rail of football. We looked at each other; we didn’t have a clue. We ran out on the field to discover this wasn’t a “Meet &. Greet.” We were run out of town by the Buffalo Steamrollers. #CleanWip

There was something cinematic about the way the fluorescent lights flickered, and the doors whooshed open, and the people crowded in, and everyone swayed in unison as the car rocked on the rails. #CleanWIP

We took Aunt Melinda’s golf cart and crossed the road to check the progress of my new house. “What do you think?”“Fud, it looks so small.” I smiled, “Pele, when you lay a home out on the ground, it looks small, but it will grow,” I saw his, wait- and- see attitude. #CleanWip

She almost forgot to watch for Harmony’s car to start. Almost turned down the wrong road on her way to Blinky’s. Almost turned her truck around and went home instead of parking. How had Grace figured out…#CleanWIp

#CleanWIP Emily focused on the road before them. Clint was surprised at her anger at learning Clemons had proposed to three different women. One might think she was personally involved. Emily had met Jessica on the train, and it was her sister who fled the church. Still…

I grasped the top of the wall and rolled on top. A long road led through the just-green fields of winter wheat. I shivered uncontrollably. I had to find warmer clothes, or at least shelter from the cold.Men opened the gate and sent the hounds bounding.#cleanWIP (road)

After what seemed like an eternity, but was probably only seconds, the man turned his attention back toward the road and drove off, leaving Arthur rattled and breathless on the sidewalk. The only thing he could think about was his unbolted door. #CleanWIp

Earl Chinnici ~ Her phone streamed to a large screen in the studio providing us with a clear view of her right shoulder and part of the rear window. We watched as she veered left, apparently to miss a dark-blue sedan that was entering the highway. She then pushed hard on the accelerator and swerved back to the right, the distance separating her vehicle from the sedan increasing far too quickly.“Hi Rita. This is Rachel of the Write Connections morning show. I’m here with Jenny Foster, author of…” ~ https://twitter.com/earlshelpdesk/status/1201516544024567808

Margaret’s father made an announcement that drew a collective gasp from the table: he and Margaret’s mother would be selling the home they had lived in for sixty years and buying an RV. Margaret’s mother made a counter-announcement: no such thing would be happening. #CleanWIP

In a greasy spoon, I overheard two guys talking about this island. I didn’t hear everything, but one said, “It’s an uninhabited island east of Turks and Caicos, a perfect place to pull a Robinson Crusoe if you could get there.”

Domo walked around the chair and studied it. “What’s this?” “This,” Will said proudly, “is what we humans call a chair. It’s the latest fashion where I come from.” “That was either sarcasm or proof you shouldn’t do standup comedy,” Domo said. He poked the chair and watched it wobble. “Doesn’t look like woodworking is your thing, either.” “No, but if I want a chair this is the only way I’ll get it. I can’t get one from the nearby human villages, what with me being broke and them expecting money for doing work.” “Scandalous the way peasants behave these days,” Domo said. “We do have our own carpenters, you know.” Will filed down the leg some more and tried sitting on the chair. The legs still weren’t even. “I thought of that. I asked four goblin carpenters to make me a chair. I wanted a bed to replace the pile of rags I have to sleep on, but I figured I’d start by asking for something small.” “And?” Domo prompted him. “Chairs shouldn’t have more legs than centipedes.” The four dysfunctional chairs Will had received (and burned as firewood) weren’t proof that the goblins hated him. Quite the opposite, they liked and even respected him. That didn’t change the fact that goblins were stupid and crazy. When asked to make something as simple as a chair, they felt the need to make improvements. While he couldn’t actually sit on the chairs, and they’d looked like they were dreamed up by an impressionist painter and built by a one-eyed, drunken chimpanzee with arthritis, Will could at least take comfort in knowing there was no malice involved.

Speaking of birds, here’s a little teaser from Joanna McKethan‘s Stone of Her Destiny – Kenna, the heroine, is learning falconry from Lane. “There now, ye see? He’s all yours. He’ll love you forever. Don’t mistake him for a pet, all lovey-dovey; they are always and still, birds of prey. But they will be faithful. Remember that.” “Oh, I thought Bonnie Blue was a lady.” “No, remember Bonnie Prince Charlie was a man,” he said, teasing.

There’s no #CleanWIP theme on Fridays, but we still publish a fun collaboration. Use the hashtag to share INTERESTING teases from a WIP or published work (book links encouraged on Fridays) or something else you believe our readers might love. [https://t.co/iCuPzhtLNK] pic.twitter.com/CQ2AI7bQpb

You are ready for spring if you can get excited about a few buttercups. I had to call MadonnaShe laughed, “Leroy, you’re such a kid; watch your driving.”I was in a good mood all day. A small clump of Buttercups had defeated the winter blues. #CleanWip#GrayHeron

#CleanWIP#WIP ~ Skin Cancer, Black Salve, and Me ~ The cancers otherwise caused me no trouble until… I felt a burning sensation from one that caused me to contemplate reaching into my left arm with the fingernails of my right hand and plucking each cancer out by the roots.

“I had no beginning. I will have no end.” The voice rose up from the seated figure, whispering into the void. He lifted his gaze, focusing on the formless zenith. His right eye was a spinning orb, half Darkness, half Light; the other was a piercing shade of blue. His robes too were ever-shifting, at once light and dark and all-colored, patterned with the same mystic symbol. “The words are indistinguishable, and meaningless.” ~ from Michael Lynes‘ latest release, First Blood(The Blood Series Book 2), which released November 1st of this year. More specifically, the excerpt is from the third chapter, Time.

We’re on a roll. Let’s enjoy one more teaser before the weekend.

Carrie picked up the bag and walked to the door. When they were outside the general store, Aunt Em stopped her. “Did we get any mail?” Carrie reached into her skirt pocket and handed over the stack. Josh’s aunt frowned at the letter on top. “What does Miss Leah want with Josh after all this time? I’ve a good mind to toss this in the wood stove.” Carrie’s thoughts exactly. “No, we can’t. The letter belongs to Josh. He has a right to read it.” Aunt Em snorted. “You would have to remind me. It’s temptin’ to accident’lly drop it along the way. Leah’s hurt Josh enough. I don’t want him hurt any more. ~ from Laurean Brooks‘ Not What He Ordered

Laurean Brooks – When I was growing up, Thanksgiving Dinner might consist of a couple of squirrels or a rabbit that Daddy brought home from his early morning hunting excursion. Daddy rose early on Thanksgiving day, took his rifle off the rack… [read more]

A horn call pierced the air.Prince Askold sighed. “Ruska is safe. I am thankful. I will fight when they come.”“Maybe they won’t kill you.”“The Khan is a man of his oath. He promised I’d die in the hour that my father attacked. Please, help me stand.” #cleanWIP#vss365

Thanksgiving Gives Us Eyes for God | Desiring God. Thanksgiving focuses more on what God does, and praise on who God is. Thanksgiving helps us see and praise who God is. And this act of seeing and praising God is thanksgiving’s greatest joy. https://t.co/DuzL0duiS0

The year that is drawing towards its close, has been filled with the blessings of fruitful fields and healthful skies. To these bounties, which are so constantly enjoyed that we are prone to forget the source from which they come, others have been added, which are of so extraordinary a nature, that they cannot fail to penetrate and soften even the heart which is habitually insensible to the ever watchful providence of Almighty God. In the midst of a civil war of unequalled magnitude and severity, which has sometimes seemed to foreign States to invite and to provoke their aggression, peace has been preserved with all nations, order has been maintained, the laws have been respected and obeyed, and harmony has prevailed everywhere except in the theatre of military conflict; while that theatre has been greatly contracted by the advancing armies and navies of the Union. Needful diversions of wealth and of strength from the fields of peaceful industry to the national defence, have not arrested the plough, the shuttle or the ship; the axe has enlarged the borders of our settlements, and the mines, as well of iron and coal as of the precious metals, have yielded even more abundantly than heretofore. Population has steadily increased, notwithstanding the waste that has been made in the camp, the siege and the battle-field; and the country, rejoicing in the consciousness of augmented strength and vigor, is permitted to expect continuance of years with large increase of freedom. No human counsel hath devised nor hath any mortal hand worked out these great things. They are the gracious gifts of the Most High God, who, while dealing with us in anger for our sins, hath nevertheless remembered mercy. It has seemed to me fit and proper that they should be solemnly, reverently and gratefully acknowledged as with one heart and one voice by the whole American People. I do therefore invite my fellow citizens in every part of the United States, and also those who are at sea and those who are sojourning in foreign lands, to set apart and observe the last Thursday of November next, as a day of Thanksgiving and Praise to our beneficent Father who dwelleth in the Heavens. And I recommend to them that while offering up the ascriptions justly due to Him for such singular deliverances and blessings, they do also, with humble penitence for our national perverseness and disobedience, commend to His tender care all those who have become widows, orphans, mourners or sufferers in the lamentable civil strife in which we are unavoidably engaged, and fervently implore the interposition of the Almighty Hand to heal the wounds of the nation and to restore it as soon as may be consistent with the Divine purposes to the full enjoyment of peace, harmony, tranquillity and Union.

In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and caused the Seal of the United States to be affixed.

Done at the City of Washington, this Third day of October, in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and sixty-three, and of the Independence of the United States the Eighty-eighth.

Liora frowned at Stanley. She could ignore him and let him get his food on his own, but that would only end up with him having a stomach ache. So, she returned to filling his plate, purposely giving smaller portions than normal. #CleanWIP

A cool breeze blew off the river soothing Emily’s hot face as the Mississippi waters sloshed onto the tipping ferry. Emily clutched her churning stomach to keep down her lunch. How did the early settlers manage to navigate this river on a raft and hold onto their food? #CleanWIP

Reaching, the end of the clearing, I glanced back at the tent; it looked like it belonged. I loaded the 9mm as if I expected pirates to invade the island. A hatchet hung from my belt, and my backpack had enough food to last a month. I’m ready; just didn’t know for what. #CleanWip

#CleanWIP …we discussed the vehicle, college, karate, food, relationships, life, and the upcoming rodeo. We were still talking when Dave and Lisa returned from lunch and Charlie hit it off with them nearly as quickly, albeit in a less flirtatious way.

All those years of marriage and now, the preacher tried to comfort Jim at Linda’s funeral. “Jim, remember the time you criticized Linda’s cooking?” Jim smiled, “Reverend, I’ve wished a thousand times I hadn’t complained about her one and only Shake-&-Bake, dinner.” #CleanWip

The scents of oranges and baked bread—along with faint notes of the sweet grass hay that was stored here during her childhood—greeted her as she opened the door to her loft home, effectively banishing any lingering stress. She stepped out of her shoes…#CleanWIP#ACountryMile

#CleanWIP “Your delicious braided bread will ever be remembered in the history of our festival.” He searched through one of the baskets on the table and pulled out a blue and green linen scarf. “I realize this has nothing to do with baking, except to keep your hair out of it.”

“Prudence, you are a special lady. I never thought you would consider me.” He cleared his throat. “And you make a most delicious peach cobbler.”“Oh, Ollie!” “ How could you think I would reject your proposal? If you take me as your wife, I will bake you one every day.” #CleanWIP

#CleanWIP The savory aromas of roast meats and breads made Nelwina’s mouth water. But she pushed those lesser pleasures aside when she saw Dolan seated at the high table, resplendent in gold and purple. Her heart thumped painfully. The young king was very pleasant to look upon.

#CleanWIP Alissia bustled about, setting the table. The beef roast and vegetables smelled delicious. Her cooking skills equaled Ma’s. She would one day make someone a good–. No! She would further her education, if he had any say in the matter.

The first guests were Margaret’s parents, Stan and Betty, who brought along Great Aunt Addie. Aunt Addie could barely hear and had to squint to see, but she faithfully sat through every family gathering, nodding and smiling at all of the commotion around her. #CleanWIP

#CleanWIP Emily did chores. She shared in housework, fed the chickens, and tended the vegetable garden. Who else volunteered to gather eggs or keep fresh straw in the hens’ nests? Neither did they offer to shovel chicken manure out of the hen house and spread it over the garden.

Margaret honestly didn’t care if her dinner preparations went sideways and they ended up ordering Chinese takeout. Nothing–not Edith inviting herself to dinner, or Mason’s decision to quit school, or her ever-deepening concerns about Ruby could touch the joy she felt. #CleanWIP

“We’re losing.” It wasn’t just the fight today and the loss of soldiers to lasers or the slave wagons. They were losing the Slaves’ War. At what point should he call it quits? Would living as slaves be better than dying for freedom? #CleanWIP

I looked through the arrows. None of them were of quality, though most appeared to be so: a loose feather, a slightly crooked shaft, a tilted metal tip. What else was sabotaged? “Quit stalling and pick one,” Gleb bellowed.#cleanWIP (quit)

#CleanWIP (theme QUIT)“Never give up hope. That is more important than any Healing we can do for you.”She kissed Joy, and they shared a look promising to be strong for one another before Mercy quit the room. Kieran and Tristam followed, Kieran weighed down with heavy thoughts.

I saw the pain in Dad’s eyes, “My life is finished, without your Mother. I’ve lost everything.”I began to cry; Dad held up his hand, “Son now is not a time to cry, be strong.”The stoic look, on his face, chiseled from stone. There wasn’t an ounce of quit in his body. #CleanWip

#CleanWIP Ma raised a hand. “All right, I’ll follow orders. For now. But, don’t think this means you’ve got the upper hand.”Doc groaned. “I pity the man who thinks it. You are one stubborn woman.”“And you are a naggin’, persistent old coot, who don’t know when to quit talkin’.”

#CleanWIP Surely, the doctor must be wrong. How could this be possible? I was only sixteen.I quit my job at the steakhouse to spend more time with Mom and help around the house. She was determined to fight the cancer and the depression that came with the diagnosis…

#CleanWIP (theme PREPARE)Dolan took Kyria’s hand, but she pulled back. “Then tell me, show me. Help me understand.”Anger flashed in her eyes. “Do you really want to know?” Her mouth twisted when he nodded. “Then, prepare to hear a tale of sorrow and woe and . . . ugliness.”

I soaked up the sun on the north beach as the week flew past. On Saturday night, moonlight filtered through the Casuarina trees, a gentle breeze blew in from the east. I began to prepare mentally to leave my uninhabited island, knowing I’d return to Casadora very soon. #CleanWip

#CleanWIP -PREPARE Yuliya collected all the gifts into her ancient, hollow branches. Slowly, painstakingly slowly, she was building herself a metal core, a lightning attractor to overcome even the height of the cathedral’s great spire.Yew trees were patient.

“I wish I could make it better.” Shoot, where did those tears come from. “I mean, it’s gonna be fine. We just, you and I, we worry about things. We chase every trail marked ‘how it could go wrong.’”Merry laughed. “Yeah, we do. All in the name of being prepared.”#cleanwip

“Take it into the city,” she’d urged.So I did. I planned a great book signing right in the heart of Atlanta.Thirty days before the signing, I was to spend two hours with Rachel Sparks of the Write Connections morning show…#CleanWIP theme: PREPARE #amWriting#amReading

He shrugged. “I’m a simple man. I like money, and I like power. I do what I can to keep them both. But this, between you and I . . . this is deeply personal.” His blue eyes suddenly looked fiery in the lamplight. #CleanWIP

#CleanWIP (theme MONEY)“Hang him,” Tavis muttered.“Not hang, my Lord Chancellor, but I am inclined to execute him, considering the gravity of the theft.” Dolan sat back. “After all, this money was stolen from the labor of thousands of people, a crime against all Levathia.”

#CleanWIP Miss Hammons,It appears you are suited to fill the position of my wife and assistant. I trust you have strong limbs to stand for lengthy periods. Enclosed, find money for train fare. Arrive by August 15. We’ll wed promptly. Bring wedding dress.Wendell O. Clemons, DDS

Today’s featured photo is from Maybe You Should Move Those Away From You, the story of CleanWIP Magazine founder Earl Chinnici’s journey to quit smoking tobacco cigarettes and become an author. To help encourage those joining the Great American Smokeout this year, you can add the ebook to your library free through Thursday and learn the story behind the change.

“Sir, we’ve had a thin winter of it. Just enough food to line the bottom of my family’s bellies. My neighbor promised to trade a cow for two sacks of wheat. A little milk would go a long way for my small ones. He gave me an almost-carcass.” #cleanWIP (Family)

#CleanWIP Did Clint's mother have firsthand experience of the wilder side of life–things that Emily had only read about? Surely not this woman whose face glowed like an angel's. Maybe she had heard stories from a wayward family member or friend.

#CleanWIP Mercy studied her soon-to-be son-in-law. He stood tall and handsome, wearing a gold-trimmed blue tunic embroidered with red roses, his family’s emblem, and the ducal crown of Frankland. He focused on the back of the chapel, searching for his beloved.

“You assume that we will need their support.”She smiled coldly.”However, we do wish peace. That is why we have persuaded a member of the royal family to join our cause.”This new blow almost felled what was left of my mental stability.Jeffrey? Alexander?#cleanwip#SilverPrincess

Rye ran out to greet us; “You aren’t going to believe this! Dad asked Emanuel if he had ever eaten souse meat, and I thought Lela would crawl under the table. He said he loved it.”“Ok, Rye, what’d you say?”“Aw, Dee. I just asked Lela if she liked kissing souse-lips.” #CleanWip

#CleanWIP#WIP ~ Mom’s doctor told her to “get her things in order.” Those were his exact words. I know this because my mom repeated the words dozens of times over the next couple of weeks as she informed family and friends. Each time I heard her say them, I cringed.

The Coroner looked puzzled, “Jerome, did you notice anything about your Dad’s health in the last few days?”“No, sir, what do you think happened?”“I’m not sure, but your Mom said he complained about chest pains.”“She’s not my, Mom.”The Sheriff’s eyes bugged out.#CleanWip

“I got him! I got the long eared thieving bunny!” the goblin shouted triumphantly while dancing around in a circle. “Hold on,” Will began, but the goblin was too taken with his victory to notice. “He thought he’d ruin the boss’ garden, but I showed him!” “What’s this about?” Domo asked. Feeling faintly embarrassed, Will said, “An animal got in my garden last month and did some damage. When the warrior goblins found out they assigned guards to watch over it, which would be a really nice gesture if they didn’t keep attacking innocent animals and salesmen.” “Animals are guilty until proven innocent!” the warrior goblin shouted. “And even then they’re guilty!” “The rabbit wasn’t anywhere near my garden,” Will told him. “He was thinking about it!” The goblin poked the rabbit in the belly. “You were conspiring! Confess!” Will said, “Just take it a few miles away and let it go.” The warrior poked the rabbit again before he marched into the woods. “The King’s going easy on you, but this is still going on your record! You have the right to remain silent! Anything you say will be ignored or misinterpreted!”

tl; dr: No #CleanWIP theme on Fridays, but we still publish a collaborative article. Use the hashtag to share INTERESTING teases from a WIP or published work (book links encouraged on Fridays). This concludes the short version. [For best results: https://t.co/iCuPzhtLNK] pic.twitter.com/OPByTqTuI5

There he was, four years past his marriage deadline, sitting on the porch of his lonely house, once again reliving the moment Amy shoved the ring into his hand and tearfully told him she wasn’t ready to settle down.

We publish each day except Saturday. ~ Sunday through Thursday, we host a theme-based hashtag game & create collaborations with many #CleanWIP tweets. https://t.co/Ujy9BVU7X3 Fridays are sans theme. https://t.co/i8vx0AKUil We want CLEAN laundry. Give us something we can use.

We hope you enjoy the following breakfast teaser from the first chapter of Linda Ellen‘s award winning historical romance, Sweet Love at Honey Landing: A Mail Order Bride Story – with a Twist! (Maple Heights Series Book 1). Since we’re jumping in mid-conversation, it might be helpful to note that Noah is already sporting a milk mustache when we begin eavesdropping. We haven’t read the entire book, but based on the title of the book and the happenings in the first chapter, we strongly suspect a wedding will ensue before the end of the third book.

#CleanWIP The more he thought about Kyria and her situation, the more he wanted to love her. Even in the brief time they’d known one another, Dolan felt certain she had inner strength and determination upon which to build whatever was lacking in her character.

Halavant left after the biting comments, but he’d been far from cowed. He walked with a determined step and a straight back. Hopefully, he’d do nothing rash to prove himself a better king. #CleanWIP (determination)

Climbing into her favorite gray, knit culottes and tossing on a faded t-shirt, she very determinedly went back out into the kitchen. She was staying in tonight. Jerking open a cupboard door, she yelped in surprise as a bag of egg noodles dive-bombed her. #CleanWIP

#CleanWIP ~ I’m sure you’ve seen our faces on billboards and subway walls. We’re uncanny symbols of America’s determination and resilience. Some people claim we’re not human; some claim we’re not real. We want you to know we are. We do have feelings.

#CleanWIP A piece of the puzzle fell into place. Clint scorned mail order brides because his mother married an abusive man–his sister’s biological father–in reply to an ad.This revelation fortified Emily’s determination to keep her secret under wraps. Clint must never know.

#TwitterTips Make it easy for others to retweet your content, an important way we help one another: 1) Design a tweet that summarizes your main message, goal, tip, or campaign—your best content. 2) Proofread it. 3)”Pin” it so it always shows at the top of your profile feed. pic.twitter.com/5YPZps1PQh

“Fellow citizens, we cannot escape history. We, of this Congress and this administration, will be remembered in spite of ourselves. No personal significance, or insignificance, can spare one or another of us. The fiery trial through which we pass will light us down in honor or dishonor, to the latest generation.”~ Abraham Lincoln

“What kind of silly games?” He couldn’t imagine what girls did to amuse themselves at a party to honor an expectant mother.“First, I lost the toilet paper game.”Brandon chuckled. “I’m not even sure I want to know what that entails.”#CleanWIP

“Sir, it’s an honor and a privilege. What may I get you for breakfast this morning?”“I’d like two eggs over-easy, country ham, sawmill gravy, biscuits, and hash browns with jalapenos.”“Sir, you must be in the wrong establishment.”“Well, I guess I’ll have a Pop-Tart.” #CleanWip

The Khan lowered his brows. “Do Ruskans break oaths so easily?”“Any who have joined your armies are oath breakers. Each child from their first year of speech swears an oath to love, honor, and protect the Tzar—not once but on each name day.” #cleanWIP (Honor)

“Going once.” At times like this, honoring the age-old policy felt a lot like rubbing salt in the wounds of the clients who’d lost out. “Going twice.” They could never afford to increase on $70K. “Going three times.” Moira lightly tapped her gavel on the rostrum.“Sold."#CleanWIP

"Wynn & I were going to attend the Academy, then come home w/our fortunes & futures set. I would take over my family’s orchard…” Grayden trailed off, staring down at the orb in his hand. “Nothing life and death, nothing grand or glorious, just… simple.” #1linewed#CleanWIP

#CleanWIP (theme HONOR)Stretching up with care not to shift the laces on his sleeve, Dolan took down the Sword of Alden from its place of honor on the wall. This would be the first year he would renew the Covenant using his father’s sword.

#CleanWIP Emily’s hand gripping the letter, shook. What was she thinking? Marriage was to be a permanent contract. A promise made to God to love and honor each another. Binding herself to a man she knew was risky enough, but to a stranger? This was insanity!Panic seized her.

Jonas didn’t have the leverage he imagined. Levi would never betray Arthur. And he’d put a bullet in his own head before he ever let anything happen to Sally. “Alright, then,” Jonas said. “I suppose you think you’re brave. But I have made braver men than you talk.” #CleanWIP

#CleanWIP (theme BRAVE)Regnatorix crouched down, so Dolan lifted Val to his back. When the dragon stood, the crowd cheered for the brave little prince.“He’s not going to fly today, is he?” Mercy asked.“No, Mother. Even Regnatorix realizes how dangerous that would be.”

#CleanWIP Emily didn't want to commit to a man she'd never met, but circumstances sometimes forced one to make tough choices. “Desperate times call for desperate measures,” Mama used to say.Was she brave enough to go through with her decision? She prayed for Divine Intervention.

Grace volunteered to wash dishes while Noella swirled the dough in hot oil to create the shape they were named for. Merry #bravely tackled decorating the finished pastry with the also-handmade sweet syrup…#CleanWIP

The Captain looked at his men. He questioned how brave these young soldiers would be, their first time in battle. Cannon fire began exploding overhead. The veteran enemy charged down the hill, his young troops, answered the call, when the Captain screamed, “Charge!” #CleanWip

Maybe being of noble birth made him braver. But plenty of visiting noblemen were as cruel as the boys that taunted me and as cowardly as a rabbit. No. Staver was brave and kind, because he was Staver, and I’d just not seen it under what I thought was weakness. #cleanWIP (Brave)

“The soldier above all others prays for peace, for it is the soldier who must suffer and bear the deepest wounds and scars of war.” ~ Douglas MacArthur

***

Debbie Brown – We had our parade yesterday, in the cold and snow. As 2nd in command, replacing my CO, I had the honor of bringing a wreath to the monument. Our time spent shivering doesn’t compare to what our veterans endured, but we can show appreciation for what their sacrifices gave us. We should be grateful and take a moment to show it.

Laurean Brooks – I don’t have the word “Veteran” in my WIP, but my dad served in WWII, stationed in Guam, and my two brothers and a sister were in the service (two in the Air Force, one in the Navy), during the Vietnam era. I would like to honor them today for their work and sacrifices.

===

The 11/11/2019 #CleanWIP theme is VETERAN. Use the hashtag with lines from a WIP & we might include your tweet in a special collaborative article along with many Veterans Day tweets without the #CleanWIP. ~ Thank you for your service, veterans. pic.twitter.com/8XtWe4f5fE

I’m a lucky veteran that didn’t witness the horror of war. My friend did, H. Handley, a gentle soul, KIA, on his way to the airport to come home. His name is on the Wall, and forever in my heart. To those brave soldiers that are in eternal rest, “May God be with you.” #CleanWip

#CleanWIP “Sir, I need a ride!” When the man in the wagon hopped down, she rifled through her purse for two quarters and dropped them in his open hand. He doffed his hat and smiled. “Thank you, young lady. Hal Smith, proud to be of service.”

Through waves ten times taller than their ships, through freezing ice, hail and storms, still they came, as ravenous as the ocean itself, until the day when the skies and seas calmed and through the mists the Ghul’aan saw an emerald land, sparkling with life and beauty.

tl; dr: No #CleanWIP theme on Fridays, but we do publish a collaborative article. Use the hashtag to share INTERESTING teases from a WIP or published work (book links encouraged on Fridays). This concludes the short version. [For best results: https://t.co/iCuPzhtLNK] pic.twitter.com/xVMcAdnVMs

And yet, he kept coming, just to see it–the gravestone his daddy had sold one of his horses to buy–just to read the name “Fred Finley, Jr.” and wonder about life and death, and why things happened the way they did. #CleanWIP

#CleanWIP In 1938, Jenny Largent leaves her family farm in Tennessee for Chicago. She is shocked–not from the unfamiliar electricity–but when a tall, blond man steals her vanity case at the depot. Surprise! He shows up at her aunt's church to bilk the congregates for his cause.

“To write a love song that might be able to make it on the radio, that is something that is terrifying to me. But I can definitely write a song about that chair over there. That I can do, but to sit and write a pop song out of the clear blue sky, that is very difficult and I admire the people that can do it.” ~ Barry Manilow

tl; dr: #CleanWIP theme for November 7 is the color BLUE (we’ll combine other meanings later with synonyms) Long—We’re playing games to find authors who prefer the clean end of the spectrum & highlight their excerpts for readers who love them.Longest— https://t.co/Oj6maiYSYBpic.twitter.com/7qhSf1NWGY

#CleanWIP Dolan timed his descent to reach the castle yard at the same moment Cephalorix landed, the rest of the dragons ranged behind him. All the young were nearly as large as their parents now, except for one blue male who wasn’t growing as quickly as his brothers and sisters.

His ice-blue eyes were large and melancholy and drooped slightly at the outward corners. He was handsome, in a sad and ghoulish kind of way, and his tall figure had a commanding presence. He approached Levi with slow, deliberate steps #CleanWIP

“Good-night, Jason. I’ll entertain your friend if he’s interested?”I didn’t hesitate, “Jason, I think I will hang out and protect your sister.” “Good luck with that, Jerome.” Beverly focused in like a laser. Even in the darkness, I saw a twinkle in her blue eyes. #CleanWip

#CleanWIP ~ Charlie’s not a supermodel, but he’s not hard on the eyes either. He’s fit and he grooms well for the most part. And then there are those gorgeous cerulean eyes and ever-so-slightly curled golden hair. He’s muscular as well, but not like a body-builder…

Never, not once in my life did I beg, borrow, or steal, and then I met you. All 3 became my compulsion, I begged our banker to extend loans, borrowed the neighbor’s stuff constantly, but stealing the pink diamond landed me in jail. It’s not easy being easy. #BraveWrite#CleanWip

#CleanWip Jessica winked. “Oh, I have my ways. Trent at the livery stable has taken a liking to me. He let me borrow the rig. I can’t be away too long though. His boss may return and find it missing. Then Trent’ll be in trouble.”

Tomorrow is Best Buddies Book Club at my school. It’s my favorite day of the week. My 9th grade students get to mentor and read aloud books to a special needs class followed by an activity. This should be in every school, everywhere. 💜 #bestbuddybookclub#mentor#kidslit#books

On the other hand, if a thousand new people visited her website because of the video, well. That was the whole point. Tucking her hands into her jeans’ pockets, she said, “Thanks again for helping me get my website updated to this century.”#cleanwip#introvert

#CleanWIP (theme NEW)I sat on the cold marble bench in the garden alcove. The cold seeped through my furs. New snow covered the ground past my ankles, and the sun sharpened the sparkling white into knives to prick skin and eyes.

#CleanWip In Landon’s absence, Alissia moped about the house. Only the mention of the upcoming dance and the new dress she would wear, cheered her. Clint’s consent for Alissia to attend the dance brought calm to the household, if only temporarily. Emily enjoyed the reprieve.

Lu was not in the army nor did he want to be in the army. He feared that reporting to General Bhaudral would interfere with his oath to protect Aya. In the end, they had compromised by forming a new, independent unit. (theme: new) #CleanWIP

#CleanWIP (theme NEW)“My lady, is anything wrong?” Dolan cleared his throat. “Has some new tragedy struck?”Rhianna shook her head and made a deep curtsy. “No, Sire, no new sadness.” She rose and met his gaze. “The old ones are more than enough, are they not?”

“I don’t think she liked me much.” “June never likes new people. You have to worm your way into her good graces. Fortunately I excel at that sort of thing.”“I just bet you do!” Ace said, without thinking. Maddie dropped her gaze and looked nervous. #CleanWIP

#CleanWIP ~ I could tell he regretted saying it as soon as the words spewed from his mouth and even angry, I know good writing material when I hear it. I grabbed a pen and a new composition book from the top of the closet and began taking notes in shorthand.

I pulled my mouth out of the quick grin and back into solemness. I must act much older than my seventeen years. Tomorrow, I’d turn eighteen, and they’d respect me more, or at least shout less. #CleanWIP (theme: old)

I rubbed my lower back, “You don’t understand. Dee is old, and old people have to rest sometimes.”A big grin came on the boy’s face, “Dee, you’re not old. You just look old.”That boy always knew how to make me laugh.#CleanWip#GrayHeron

#CleanWIP (theme OLD)“You will never be old to me, Lord Owain.” Dolan held back a smile lest the man think he was mocking him. “I only hope to be as young as you are someday.”Owain roared with laughter, catching Dolan’s double meaning.

Melchius drew himself out of his reverie and blinked owlishly at Frank. The old wizard wore his usual patched and frayed robe and sat on his horse as if getting on it had been an afterthought, something unconnected with the deep thoughts he was perpetually pondering. #CleanWIP

“What else are you planning to do? Hang around with your old grandma every day for company? I want to see you as happy as you were in that photo over there.”“I was three!”“That doesn’t matter. The point is, you’ve lost that spark you used to have.” Accidentally Yours #CleanWIP

#CleanWip The old man seated across the aisle rolled his head back and whined, “Looks like they'd have a little consideration for folks taking a nap, and not blow that inferior whistle at every dinky little town along the tracks.”

#CleanWIP "Just thinking I should've suspected something. Margie donned her Sunday dress before asking Mama for the grocery list. Then she hitched up the wagon and took off. Two hours later, Mama sent me looking for her. I found the horse and wagon parked in front of the depot."

CleanWIP Magazine has something special to share. Our Limited Liability Corporation (LLC) information package arrived in the mail yesterday. Our name is confirmed: CLEANWIP MAGAZINE LLC. We filed the necessary forms online and it was impossible to convey the importance of mixed capitalization in our name. Mail carriers will surely wonder if somebody accidentally excluded a vowel and it should be CLEANWIPE. We hope they will consider whether there is any real need for a magazine about clean wipes though. Perhaps we can enlist your help teaching everyone WIP means work-in-progress or, in plural form, works-in-progress and that CleanWIP Magazine is focused on those WIP that lean clean. Thanks in advance. ~ CleanWIP Magazine

“Life is beautiful. Except for the spider I almost drank. That wasn’t beautiful. It probably didn’t think I was beautiful either, as I almost swallowed it whole, but then it shouldn’t have been sitting in my water cup.” – Letter from Vasilisa, #cleanWIP

Today is officially the beginning of NaNoWriMo, when hundreds of thousands of writers (or more) begin work on a new novel. That’s a lot of new works-in-progress and we’re excited.

tl; dr: No #CleanWIP theme on Fridays, but we still publish a collaborative article. Use the hashtag to share INTERESTING teases from a WIP or published work (book links encouraged on Fridays). This concludes the short version. [For best results: https://t.co/iCuPzhtLNK] pic.twitter.com/M3gjKOWinC

Mrs. Bradley creaked up the steps with solemn regularity, and Mary fixed her gaze on the drooping white ties of the older woman’s apron, terrified lest she let her attention stray from the moment. If she didn’t, she might cry.

#CleanWIP (theme TERRIFY)Val had wanted to fly on that dragon for years. If he had a secure harness, the risk would be very slight, but there was always some risk. “It terrifies me to think of my son so high in the air.”

#CleanWIP "I was terrified during that storm!” Prudence exclaimed.Emily's face burned. She and Clint had raced toward the ranch in the dark, but the downpour caught them anyway.“Did you come to see Mrs. James? She's napping.”Prudence sniffed. “No, it is you I want to talk to.”

Brandon climbed the steps with a tent, sleeping bag, and hiking pack. No need to return the stuff, Theo had said. One trip out into the woods with buzzing bugs, and a bear that scared the wits out of him, was enough to cure him of camping for a lifetime.#CleanWIP#amwriting

#CleanWIP Lighting slashed across the sky. Emily flinched. Clint hated to scare her, but they had to go. He mounted the horse, pulling her up behind him. Bowie galloped through the night as thunder rolled. Clint prayed, silently thanking God that the Palomino knew his way home.

“If those who have grain would sell it, then the people wouldn’t rise against them.”“Yosyph.” She caressed my cheek. “The nobility have families, too. They fear for their wives and little ones. They are scared. Help them have reason to trust you.” #cleanWIP (scared)

My parents taught me not to be scared of monsters. It empowered me to take control of my life and stand up to those things that appeared terrifying. I only wish they had taught me how to deal with a bunch of sneaky little gremlins. #1linewed#CleanWip

Lyrren is the highest rank an enlisted man can attain in this world’s military. They attended the Academy for 4 years but did not go on to become officers (an additional 2 years of study/training). I plan to finish the Turrim Archive & rapid-release the 5-book series in 2021.

“Ruby, you know me. You know I don’t care about any of those things. I don’t like him because he’s a jerk.”“You wanna say that to my face?” Ryan barked.“Gladly. You think you scare me?”“Stop!” Ruby said, as forcefully as she could. “Ryan, stop.” #CleanWIP

I saw the worry in her eyes, “Jerome, don’t you realize where you guys are going. I’m stressing over Jason; he is hardheaded and has no fear. Vietnam is a killing field, where soldiers go to die. I don’t want my brother, over there, I want him home, where he belongs.” #CleanWip

With escape so close, he was able to finally feel something other than crushing fear. He felt rage; for himself, and for Arthur, and for Sally, and for all the other people boxed into corners by evil forces outside their control. –Arthur Flint Files #CleanWIP

“It’s no laughing matter. There’re crazy people over there. They know me. I’m a link to their food source, so they don’t bother me for the most part. But you? A preacher? They’re gonna have you for lunch.” Fear gripped her heart. “Don’t go, Brandon. Just don’t.”#CleanWIP

#CleanWIP (theme FEAR)Kieran placed his sticky hands on top of hers.“He’s faltering,” she whispered.“I feared the lad had lost too much blood.”When the heart began to flutter, Mercy sent a surge of Healing power there, desperate to stabilize it.

#CleanWIP (theme WORRY)Kieran had to look away from the anguish in her eyes. “Owain has a good physician, experienced with battle injuries. You needn’t worry, love.” He held the end of one of the laces on an arm guard so Tristam could secure it.

Jason laughed politely, but his eyes darted around and his shoulders were tense. Margaret felt a twinge of alarm. “Are you all right? Is . . . is Amber all right?”“Oh! Yes, yes, we’re . . . fine. Nothing to worry about.” He put on an unconvincing smile. –Untitled #CleanWIP

Her laugh was so free; it floated in the air like a feather. “That settles it, Jerome, meet me after work tomorrow, at the City Café, and we’ll go buy you some awesome new threads.” She looked at Dad, “Noel, don’t worry; your boy will be the best-dressed kid at school.” #CleanWip

#CleanWIP If this dentist ain’t what he appears, hop on the next train home.”Emily nodded, knowing she could never return. Not only the high price of train fare, but her sister-in-law would never allow it. Roy might worry about her, but Louise wouldn’t give her a second thought.

I’m concerned at how little concern appears in my writings. I finally found this in a *connect to the author* section: Whenever feasible, I intentionally avoid using words that would cause a young child to hesitate with concern when reading aloud to Grandma. #CleanWIP

Ace glanced at the crowd gathering behind them with concern, then smiled patiently at Ellie. “Oh, a little of this, a little of that. I’m kind of a Jack-of-all trades. So, IS there anything else I can get you?” #CleanWIP

Ace glanced at the crowd gathering behind them with concern, then smiled patiently at Ellie. “Oh, a little of this, a little of that. I’m kind of a Jack-of-all trades. So, IS there anything else I can get you?” #CleanWIP

“My schedule’s not very tight right now, so if you need me for anything—prayer, a neutral ear to voice concerns to, or just… I don’t know.” He shrugged. “If you lose the jack to your car and need someone to hold it up while you change the tire, I’m your man.”#CleanWIP

#CleanWip If she and the dentist disliked one another, could Emily endure a marriage of convenience–spend her life with a man she didn't love and who didn't love her? If his biggest concern was if she was sturdy enough to help him in his practice, why didn't he just hire a man?

How is this for a frosting of purple flowers at @BlueMountainsBG? Felicia fruiticosa subspecies fruiticosa. Not sure why this is not a more popular garden plant. Look at the flower power. Commonly called Shrub Aster and a native of the Western Cape Province of South Africa. pic.twitter.com/D9FdDesTKN

Was she…was she daring him? Tyrel assessed her too-sweet tone, the sly twist of her lips. Oh yeah. He was without a doubt being dared. It didn’t fit with any of her other behavior so far. Nevertheless, he felt a need to rise to the challenge.#amwriting#cleanWIP

The sunlit throne room echoed with angry noblemen. Ten of them huddled like grouchy sheep at the bottom of my dais, an impromptu committee to help me mend my ways. Two guards stood on either side of me, and eight more watched close by. None had drawn weapons—yet. #cleanWIP

Light and darkness play a huge metaphorical role in my Unsung Legacies historical fiction series. I use it to illustrate good and evil, knowledge and ignorance, truth and lies, fear and trust. It’s especially evident in Sunlight and Shadows (as the title suggests), where the main character, Betty, comes out of the comfortable darkness of ignorance into the harsh light of truth. “She walked through the silent house and out the back door. She stood on the back porch and looked around at the landscape. It was the same sunlight as before. It was the same paddock, the same lazy horse eating grass, the same field, the same woods. Somehow the world had gone on as though nothing happened. But her perfect day–her perfect life–had evaporated like a puddle in the summer sun, as if it never was.” In the next snippet, the light represents hope peeking out through despair, and foreshadows the good that will come out of this tragedy, even if it’s not clear right now. “Soon enough, the sun peeked through the drawn curtains, finding its way through the crack between the two dense panels of fabric, and creating a narrow line of light across Mama’s casket.” Then, in this last snippet, the sunlight (the truth) turns her father (who has changed for the worse) into a literal shadow of himself, and it’s only when he closes the door that he is recognizable. “Daddy walked in, a moving silhouette until he shut the door and blocked the sunlight out.” ~ Jessica Marie Holt, Unsung Legacies

“Keep your face to the sun and you will never see the shadows.” ~ Helen Keller

#CleanWIP (theme SUN)King Dolan stood tall and proud wearing a golden crown upon his dark hair and a well-fitted purple surcoat. The jewels and gold trim sparkled in the sunlight, adding to the dazzling effect his presence had upon her.

Looking out into the ocean, I saw a speck in the distance. It had to be Pele. As it got closer, I could see the gleam of the outriggers, glistening in the sun. Yep, it’s Pele, and soon, I’d be back in the comfort of my little bungalow, to a hot meal and a shower. #CleanWip

#CleanWip The postmistress squinted against the sun. “Haven’t heard of a business needing a typist or bookkeeper, Miss Hammons. Usually, when they put a Help Wanted sign in the window, somebody grabs it up within the hour. Abilene is a booming town, in case you haven’t noticed.”

The kitchen was small, but cheerful. Sunlight streamed in through the glass back door. A vase of fresh flowers sat on the counter, and colorful painted rooster kept watch over a tray of Christmas cookies that had been set out on the island #CleanWIP

#CleanWIP We’re in for a bad storm. They can slip upon you before you know it,” Clint warned. “We’re overdue for a rain, but I don’t want to get caught in the middle of a lightning storm. We’d better head back before it hits.”

#CleanWIP (Theme LIGHTNING)When the bonds clattered to the ground, Kyria straightened, flexing her hands.“You’re hurt.” Dolan gently took her nearest hand and turned it over to expose a torn and bleeding wrist. At the contact, a jolt like lightning went through him.

“Mr. Johnson, your grade for this class will be an “A.” Your words are pumped from your heart, filtered through your brain, and they pour out onto paper with lightning speed. I envy that ability, and I only wish that I could teach that.” #CleanWip

Lightning would be so romantic if it would just keep its distance from everything important, including all living creatures. Of course we all know it doesn’t. All too often lightning ignites fires, damages homes and other structures, destroys appliances… sometimes it even kills.The earliest scary lightning story I can think of happened when I was perhaps ten years old. While swimming in an in-ground pool, lightning struck close enough that I felt a slight tingle in the water similar to the sensation of sticking a 9-volt battery to one’s own tongue. (Wasn’t everyone their older brother’s battery tester? No? Hmm.)I recall another close call in my early to mid teens. It was much closer, actually. I was watching TV with my dad while Mom was at the kitchen sink when all of a sudden and with a loud blended crackle and pop, a bolt of blue came from an outlet directly behind the television and struck the sink just as Mom took one step back from it.I know there were many other times lightning was closer than I like it to be. I live in Florida. Some have called it the lightning capital of the world though the age of the Internet has shown everything—including this claim—is debatable.Undoubtedly, the strangest lightning occurrences I’ve witnessed were during tornadoes. I’ve been in and near many, especially since February of 1999. I didn’t move. Perhaps they did.Only some of the tornadoes arrived with lightning, but the lighting that came with those that did was unlike any lightning I’ve ever experienced outside of a tornado. Instead of booms of thunder, there were only extremely fast clicks and crackles; the flashes were like flashes of a strobe light at a dance party or the local disco. (Give it time. Disco music will make a comeback, I can feel it.)This article seems it might tolerate one lightning fast tale. This occurred only a half-dozen years ago and it was among the most scary—holding its own with those during the tornadoes.Boom! (Scared yet? No?) About three seconds later, another boom, this one louder and undeniably much closer than the first. I begin to count. One Mississ—BOOM! Shaken, I begin to count again. One—BOOM! And another. BOOM! I lie flat on the floor on my belly, now considering how soldiers must feel when in a war zone under fire by heavy artillery. A final approaching BOOM, quite deafening and then about two seconds later a BOOM further away, but obviously following the same line of travel.I lie flat another couple minutes and finally get the nerve to get up. About twenty minutes later, I hear sirens of fire trucks and getting louder with each passing second. Roughly a minute later, they’re slowing in front of my home then turning onto the small private road at the edge of my yard. Turns out the final approaching BOOM struck a cousin’s barn less than a thousand feet from me and had pretty well burned it down before it became apparent to other neighbors what had happened.But it sure seemed closer.

By Earl ChinniciToday’s lightning theme seemed a great reason to work on my first draft of a work-in-progress currently titled “Fifty Close Calls.” If these collaborative articles have also helped motivate you to add words to a work-in-progress, I’d love to hear from you. Check the contact page for the latest info.

February 22, 2014 – Lightning exploded the side of a tree and propelled several shards of wood into the ground in multiple places, the farthest discovered piece being about fifty feet away from the base of the struck tree. The sticks forming the V (an X when viewed closer) in the background of this photo are also two pieces of the same tree. Others nearby were not photographed.

We are excited to announce today the opening of our CleanWIP Magazine storefront. We’ve designed several awesome products already and have many more planned.

CleanWIP Magazine, a new e-zine for writers who market their books as ‘clean’ and the readers who love them, hosts the #CleanWIP author hashtag game Sundays through Fridays. ~ Care to join us? ~ The theme for Monday, October 21 is RAIN. pic.twitter.com/WtM57QimXv

A slow rain fell, forming an intricate pattern of diamond clusters on the window. I studied each one as they trickled down the pane. Suddenly, a clap of thunder shook the house down to the foundation. The diamonds raced for cover and vanished forever. #MuseMon#CleanWip

#CleanWIP We’re in for a bad storm. They can slip upon you before you know it,” Clint warned. “We’re overdue for a rain, but I don’t want to get caught in the middle of a lightning storm. We’d better head back before it hits.”

It was hopeless, and Levi knew it. But he was running anyway. His heart thudded in his ears. His steps pounded on the wet pavement. His lungs screamed for relief. The misting rain flew into his face like tiny cold needles, obscuring his vision. #CleanWIP

“A man climbed three stories to Halavant’s window, picked the lock, and decided to practice knife fighting with a sleeping cripple. What he didn’t expect was a quick-witted warrior. Halavant is an astute study in the art of Lausatök.” – King’s Shadow, #cleanWIP

#CleanWIP (theme RAIN)“I’m glad it hasn’t rained lately, my lady.” Oleta grabbed the side with whitened knuckles when the cart jolted over a rut. “Else the roads would be muddy, and that would be even worse.”

Misty rain turned to larger droplets and fell from Brandon’s hairline onto his face. Ava resisted the urge to smooth it away. To erase whatever was driving him toward a place he didn’t belong. A place where nobody belonged. #CleanWip

While it’s true that some things smell better than others do, it’s nice to be able to smell a distant rain. It’s also nice to enjoy the smell of frangipani without a burning cigarette or an ashtray full of butts nearby. I shudder when I think of all the butts I used to smell. ~ Earl Chinnici (from Maybe You Should Move Those Away From You)

Maddie’s gaze was fixed on the field. A little breeze blew her curls around her face, and her pink lips were turned up into a small, thoughtful smile. Ace took a mental snapshot. He wanted to remember her just like that forever. #CleanWIP

#CleanWIP Thunder clapped and lightning zigzagged across the dark sky as they raced ahead of the storm. The wind whipped at their backs, swirling dust around them. Clint kneed Butter again, urging him on faster, while praying they would reach the ranch before the downpour hit.

Being a Floridian fifty years, I’m no stranger to wind. So it seems to me I should be able to write so much about it, on demand even, but I’m finding it difficult. I began to write yesterday while still being affected by post-tropical storm Nestor. I wrote two paragraphs and stared at them about the span of half an hour then discarded them so swiftly as though I’d suddenly realized they were infected with a highly contagious pathogen. Why would anyone want to read this?I tried again and achieved similar results.A third time I began anew and only made it through two sentences before being disgusted by the way I arranged the words. Perhaps I am tired, I thought. So I slept.As I young child, I recall days with family flying kites on a gentle breeze from the schoolyard. Had my wind-related experiences stayed in the neighborhood of kites and pinwheels and gentle ocean breezes, perhaps it would be easier to write about wind today. But then, how could I ever hope to convey the differences between the center of a hurricane and the center of a tornado had I not been intimate with both?Minutes after I rose and with great determination, I attempted this article once more. Only minutes later, that disheartening realization of failure set in yet again. Anyone near me knows of the anxiety I now feel, but how could one topic cripple me to this point where words will not flow?But isn’t that how it often goes and with nearly any work-in-progress? When it comes to matters of the mind, a work might be ‘in progress’ quite a long time.Perhaps I am tired.Perhaps tomorrow the words will flow freely.Perhaps this tale isn’t so much about wind as it is about writing and about those spaces between words. ~ Earl Chinnici

This marks the second ‘Relaxed Friday’ we’ve hosted but unfortunately the first was apparently so relaxed, we failed to create a collaborative article. What can we say? Relax already. Don’t judge.

Here’s the scoop on #CleanWIP ‘Relaxed Fridays.’

NO THEME – We’re encouraging authors to take advantage of ‘Relaxed Fridays’ by sharing interesting lines without the usual concern of whether an excerpt matches our announced theme.

WIP OR PUBLISHED WORK – Since every published work was once a work-in-progress, we want to see the polished product—but only on Fridays because CleanPublishedWorks Magazine didn’t sound right to our ears.

PURCHASE LINKS WELCOME – Since we’re sharing lines from published works on Fridays, we want a quick way to purchase something that catches our attention.

#CleanWIP NOT REQUIRED – Say what?! – This isn’t a mistake—or at least we hope it isn’t. Authors who have joined us in the CleanWIP Facebook group can also share links on the Relaxed Friday thread there to other hashtag game posts as well as pretty much any fun sort of thing readers are sure to love.

It would be the last time that I would see #34 take the field for his beloved Black Knights. Standing at mid-field for the coin toss, with the chin strap hanging down, and shoulders squared, Rye personified the look of a stallion ready to race. #CleanWip#GrayHeron#Amazon

“Life is beautiful. Except for the spider I almost drank. That wasn’t beautiful. It probably didn’t think I was beautiful either, as I almost swallowed it whole, but then it shouldn’t have been sitting in my water cup.” – Letter from Vasilisa, #cleanWIP

#CleanWIP ~ “You must be out of your mind, Jenny. You think I should apologize after the way that country-clubbing jerk treated me? Whose side are you on anyway? I should have known you’d bring up my temper again.” pic.twitter.com/6J3jnAiCPB

They stood there, a somber, silent foursome. Levi thought about what a strange thing it was to just stand around in the dark, in the rain, waiting for a car that would most likely take him to his death, as though they were waiting for a ride to the airport. #CleanWIP

Fun Granny Excerpt!By Jessica Marie Holt“Henry, listen. That is Samantha Cooper at the door. She needs our help because she’s having . . . lady-troubles. Would you mind very much making yourself scarce for a while?”Henry stared at her skeptically. “Lady-troubles?”“Yes. Very personal lady-troubles.”The doorbell rang again four times in a row. June jumped slightly. “Here, Henry,” she said, hurriedly shoving cookies into his hands. “Take these with you. Fresh out of the oven. You can eat them upstairs, In bed, if you want!”Henry’s eyes widened, and his brow furrowed. “I can eat them . . . in bed,” he said slowly.“Yes, yes! I’ll even let you read to me later from that book you like so much, and I won’t fall asleep this time,” she said.Henry stared at the cookies with a familiar gleam in his eye. “Lady troubles.”“Lots of lady-troubles,” said Ellie, nodding.Henry shook his head. “All right. But I’m keeping an eye on you two.”“Yes, Henry. You do that. But later.”

He sometimes imagined a new home, in a new place, where no trace of her existed, but it was useless. She floated in his shadow; she hovered at the edge of his consciousness; she inhabited his waking and sleeping dreams. –The Mission #CleanWIP

“Well. I have something to discuss with you.”June was intrigued. She never knew where Ellie’s mind would go, but it was almost always somewhere interesting. “What is it?”“The pact.” Her eyes sparked.June set her coffee cup down firmly. #CleanWIPhttps://t.co/u99eP8DLuB

From a WIP by CleanWIP Magazine’s very own Earl Chinnici – ~ We didn’t set out to be heroes, but heroes we became. I’m sure you’ve seen our faces on billboards and subway walls. We’re uncanny symbols of America’s determination and resilience. Some people claim we’re not human; some claim we’re not real. We want you to know we are. We do have feelings. ~

I stepped onto a west-facing balcony and gazed over the three-walled city as the rising sun lit the snow-dusted farmland beyond the cliff’s shadow, then the outer wall. It would be hours before the cliff’s shadow allowed the sun’s warmth on this balcony. #CleanWIP

#CleanWIP My father-in-law’s small truck was running in the driveway. (a 5-speed). He glanced out the window and drawled, “There goes my little truck. Wonder how far it’ll go.” My husband looked out the window then went running after it.

The fire cracked and popped merrily. The dog snored gently. The paper felt smooth in his hand, and made a satisfying rustling sound when he turned each page. When he reached the sports section, he looked at his watch. Six o’clock. Right on schedule.–Arthur Flint Files #CleanWIP

It had to be a seagull-chicken sandwich, no way I could finish it. I tossed it and headed to clear security. The process went slower than usual; the entire terminal seemed on edge. I remained calm; a puddle- jumper flight and I’d be back in my little bungalow. #CleanWip

“Oh, wow. I wish I could, but I have, um, a date.” Maddie’s voice got smaller as she finished her sentence.Her mom’s face lit up. “Oh? Who with?”“Just a guy. You don’t need all the gory details.”“I don’t need them, no. But I wish you felt like you could tell me.” #CleanWIP

“Why did you lock the guards out?”“I just need a better lock on the window.”“Or a room with no windows.” A smile hinted on his grim face. “Maybe a tight cell in the dungeon. Reverse the lock so you can keep others out.”#CleanWIP

Ahead of him, calmly standing in the middle of a small clearing, Beroa was munching on something. The sound of his chewing was all that broke the unnatural silence. Even the birds seemed to be holding their breath. #CleanWIP#preorder @ https://t.co/GO3wXHcxko#fantasy

This assassin came better prepared than the one in the throne room. I kicked his hand. The knife spun over my head and thunked against the wall. I’d need to have the floor and wall attended to in the morning. Couldn’t they leave less damage? #CleanWIP

#CleanWIP “My lady, I’m sorry to wake you, but Her Majesty has need of you.”“The baby?” Mercy climbed down from the bed.“Yes.” Oleta grinned. “The new prince has decided to be born in the middle of the night.”

Ace finally pulled into a weedy, nondescript parking lot in front of a huge, low-lying wooden clapboard building. He looked over at Maddie, who was probably wondering if she’d been kidnapped and brought to a crime den in the middle of nowhere. #CleanWIP

#CleanWIP “You go get your business done at the feed store. I’ll be in the Ladies’ boutique.”Miss Katy Davis was a slippery one. Josh was not letting her out of his sight. “I’ll go in with you.” He placed his hands about her tiny “middle” and lifted her from the buckboard.

“The trouble is, you think you have timeYou think tomorrow’s always coming down the lineThen one day you wake up and you findThe trouble is, you thought you had time”~ Dean Brody “Time”

CleanWIP Magazine, a new e-zine for writers who market their books as ‘clean’ and the readers who love them, hosts the #CleanWIP author hashtag game Sundays through Fridays. Care to join us? https://t.co/6t6ndNUooH ~ The theme for Tuesday, October 15 is TOMORROW. pic.twitter.com/EzFamebqzM

“We can go around tomorrow night–say eleven–and put them up around town. Shady Oaks rolls up the sidewalks at nine on weekdays. No one will see us.”“You’re willing to leave the house after seven-thirty?”June shrugged. “Sacrifices must be made.” #CleanWIP

Shame clouded his features and he averted his face. He shook his head and withdrew from her. “You should return to your rooms,” he murmured. “Get a fire blazing so you don’t catch a chill. I’ll see you… tomorrow.” #CleanWIP

Editor’s Challenge: Pick one of those “special cigarettes,” such as the one you always smoke immediately after breakfast or lunch, and skip it tomorrow. Do not smoke that one cigarette. Tell yourself you will have to wait a specific amount of time after that special event before you ignite a cigarette. What is so special about a cigarette anyway?

“For the past 33 years, I have looked in the mirror every morning and asked myself: ‘If today were the last day of my life, would I want to do what I am about to do today?’ And whenever the answer has been ‘No’ for too many days in a row, I know I need to change something.” ~ Steve Jobs

Many todays have passed since February 28, 2013, when I watched and photographed that gorgeous sunset, some pleasant and fun and some delightfully uneventful. But then there were those todays that were frightening and those todays that were tragic… and those todays that were both frightening and tragic … some day, I’d like to share so much more with you, but there isn’t time to take you there today. Let’s make the most of this today.

CleanWIP Magazine, a new e-zine for writers who market their books as ‘clean’ and the readers who love them, hosts the #CleanWIP author hashtag game Sundays through Fridays. https://t.co/8qV2kn92xf ~ Care to join us, #amWriting? ~ The theme for MONDAY 10/14/2019 is TODAY.

He threw off his warm cocoon of blankets, swung his legs over the edge of the bed and set his bare feet down on the cool wood floor. He willed himself to stand. He only had one thing on his to-do list today, but it was everything. #CleanWIP

he…rattle[d] off his list of options. “Today we have fresh whitefish, rockfish, &pinkgill. There are 4 kinds of peppers, crisp apples…”“I know what I want,” Leuna interrupted. “Auroch meat, pinkgill, apple, potato, the lavender pepper, and more of the same.”#CleanWIP#foodie

“What can I get for you ladies today?” the no-name barista said, with a hooded gaze and a cocky grin.June turned to Ellie and shook her head. “No. Just, no.”“Order something!” Ellie whispered through gritted teeth. “Fine.” –Accidentally Yours #CleanWIP

“I don’t really wear goggles.”He caught her arm as she tried to slip past him. “You do today.” …Taken by surprise, she slapped at his hands, but it was too late. The goggles were on. Mortified, she pulled them off and looked away.#CleanWIP#Free @ https://t.co/kn8JXHrlyl

#CleanWIP “This is a pleasant surprise, Joy of my heart.” His smile widened. “Come to spy on us, have you?”“Oh, no.” Joy left the mare and moved closer to Bennet. “I just couldn’t bear to be parted from you today.”“Ah, now I understand.” Bennet winked.

Today’s #CleanWIP theme and collaborative article is Yesterday. [More info] Because it is a collaborative article, it will likely be larger tomorrow than it is today. I hope this doesn’t confuse the authors. You see, tomorrow’s theme is today and Tuesday’s theme is tomorrow, but today’s theme is yesterday. When I first mentioned today’s theme to author Jessica Marie Holt she replied, “I only use this word in dialogue, and apparently it doesn’t come up often! But, tomorrow is another day!” Yes it is, Jessica. Tomorrow is today.

“I do not think much of a man who is not wiser today than he was yesterday.” ~ Abraham Lincoln

We’re scouting for clean content today based on the theme, especially lines from author’s current works-in-progress. We’ll update this page throughout the day. Be sure to check back.

CleanWIP Magazine, a new e-zine for writers who market their books as ‘clean’ and the readers who love them, hosts the #CleanWIP author hashtag game Sundays through Fridays. Care to join us? ~ https://t.co/6t6ndNUooHhttps://t.co/fnwC86XdAN The theme for 10/13/2019: YESTERDAY

For years my dear sister served as the mainstay in our family, the glue of an extremely dysfunctional bunch. Yesterday, I spread her ashes in the wind, some settle on my jacket. Strangely they stick, and over time I hold what is left of us together. #SunWip#CleanWip

I’m a peculiar person and I suspect you are too. I guess that’s okay. If you were like me or I was like you and everyone else was like us, things could get monotonous in a hurry. Trouble is, several of my peculiarities likely have been named and a strange tone of voice applied each time they are mentioned in public. I don’t know, nor do I want to know, those names.

If you’ve spent any time at all on Twitter, I’m sure you’ve seen plenty of users announce in their bios that RTs ≠ endorsements. Sometimes, a user will even spell it out for the viewer, retweets do not equal endorsements. It’s like, make no mistake, since these people were so kind recently when they retweeted my new release apocalyptic steampunk romantic comedy, I’m letting them know I appreciate it by retweeting their raisin cookie recipe—even though I personally despise raisin cookies. And some people feel this way about holidays and some feel this way about opossums and some feel this way about cats, and some feel this way about caterpillars, and if you pick any item that can be named and ask around about it, somebody somewhere feels the same way about it too. But this magazine isn’t about them and ultimately, it isn’t about me either. It is about the authors who market their books as clean and the readers who love them.

Reading is paramount. Even though I can’t always feel great about every book or teaser we include here, I can feel great about promoting literacy. Perhaps somebody needs to read Caterpillars in Space Eating Raisin Cookies to pave the way for Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John.

Bottom line: I intend to and will put forth a great effort to include in CleanWIP Magazine a wide variety of the things I know readers love, even though the likely-named peculiarities within me will certainly at times cause me great anxiety about some of the things I share here.

In addition, some materials for this site are submitted by others. I don’t necessarily share their opinions and they don’t necessarily endorse this site, although some will. Some guests may also write material which is not suitable for all ages. Please use discretion when following links.

So authors, bring on those raisin cookies, holidays, and other taboos! So long as you feel confident about marketing your writing as clean and your works are respectful of others, join in the #CleanWIP hashtag game for authors and if you’re also interested in enjoying the benefits of an ‘open door’ of communication regarding special events and promotions, your book deals, new releases and newest news, join the CleanWIP Facebook author group as well.

By all means, feel free to share this article with others. After all, retweets do not equal endorsements.

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Coming Soon

We work closely with published authors and writers who are aspiring to be published as well as other creative people such as artists, poets, and songwriters in our CleanWIP Facebook group for authors (et al) and via the #CleanWIP hashtag game to bring readers interesting collaborative sneak peeks into their works-in-progress, full-featured articles, and also personal reflections on the thoughts and struggles from a rough draft to a published work.

Legalities / Formalities

Earl Chinnici, owner and operator of CleanWIP Magazine, is an Amazon Associate who earns from qualifying purchases. Affiliate links are often used here.

Some materials on this site are submitted by others. Earl Chinnici and CleanWIP Magazine do not necessarily share the opinions of these other writers and they do not necessarily endorse this site. Some may also write material which is not suitable for all ages. Please use discretion when following links.

We encourage authors to use the #CleanWIP hashtag to share sneak peeks related to the day’s theme from unpublished works. We also encourage use of the hashtag for a single relevant release day announcement. On Fridays, we relax the structure even further and encourage using #CleanWIP to share relevant news, interesting teases from a work-in-progress or published work (purchase links encouraged on Fridays), or something else our readers might love. Actual use of the hashtag is not within our control and even on this site we will sometimes share #CleanWIP content that doesn’t strictly meet these guidelines.